Railway traffic controlling apparatus



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| 1 LZENV 5M 5 ah-km i Dezeczor and lZoufe Lockz'ny Cz'pcul'zs.

N I INVENTOR I// & 2 Charles Willi A CT H15 ATTORNEY y 1939- l c. w. BELL 2,156,673

' RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed April 6, 1938 Patented May 2, 1939 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFECE RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Charles W.

Bell, Forest Hills, la.,v assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company,

Swiss- Claims.

My invention relates to railway trafiic controlling apparatus of the type comprising a power operated switch controlled by a manually operable lever, and has for an object the provision 5 of novel and improved apparatus for indicating at the lever the position of the switch prior to and subsequent to a switch movement.

I shall describe two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, and shall then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are diagrammatic views of two forms of apparatus each embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring to Fig. 1, the reference character S designates a railway switch of the usual and well-known form. Switch S is operatively connected with a switch mechanism SM, which may,

for example, be of the electropneumatic type. Switch mechanism SM, as shown here, is provided with a normal valve magnet NV, a reverse valve magnet RV, and a lock valve magnet LV, it being understood that switch S will be moved to 5 a normal position when valve magnet NV is energized and to a reverse position when valve magnet RV is energized, provided that in each instance valve magnet LV is also energized. A pole changer P is operatively connected with switch mechanism SM, and so arranged that in the normal position, that is, the position shown in the drawing, contacts I-2 and 3-4 are closed, whereas in the reverse position, that is, the position the reverse of that shown in the drawing,

contacts 2-5 and 3--6 are closed.

Swith mechanism SM is controlled by a manually operable lever E, such as, for example, a switch lever of an interlocking machine. Lever E is adapted to assume various positions, as illustrated by the diagram. These positions are full normal position N, normal indication position B, reverse indication position D, and full reverse position R. Lever E is provided with a plurality of contacts, designated by the reference characters I to l I, so arranged as to be closed at different positions of lever E. The positions in which the contacts are closed are indicated in the drawing by the reference characters designating the positions of the lever E. For instance, contact 1 of lever E bears reference character NB, which means that contact 1 is closed when the lever is in its full normal position N, its normal indication position B, or'any position between the two.

Lever E is provided with a handle !2 having a latch to which a latch operated contact [3 is connected. Latch contact i3 is biased to an open I position, but is so arranged as to close when the latch is actuated in preparation for moving lever E. Lever E is also provided with a normal lever lock NL and a reverse lever lock RL. Normal lever lock NL comprises a magnet I l, which actuates a locking dog l5. Locking dog l5 engages a projection l6 on segment ll, which is connected with lever E, to prevent a movement of lever E fromthe normal position N unless magnet i4 is energized. This arrangement also prevents, unless magnet M is energized, the movement of lever E past the normal indication position B when the lever is moved in the direction toward the normal position N. Similarly, the reverse lever lock RL is provided with a magnet l8 which actuates a locking dog l9. Locking dog It engages a projection 20 on segment 2 l, which is connected with the lever E, to prevent lever E from being moved from its reverse position R unless magnet I8 is energized. The arrangement also prevents, unless magnet I8 is energized, lever E from being moved past its reverse indication position D when the lever is moved toward its reverse position R.

The lever locks NL and RL are controlled in part by a relay HR which is energized by virtue of a circuit including all the detector and route locking circuits which protect switch S. Since the form of the circuit for relay HR forms no part v of my present invention, it is indicated on the drawing conventionally. A polarized indication relay KR cooperates with relay HR to control the lever locks NL and RL.

With the apparatus in its normal condition, that p is, the condition illustrated in the drawing, the relay HR is energized and relay KR is supplied with current of normal polarity by virtue of a circuit passing form one terminal B1 of a source of current, such as a battery. not shown, through contact l-2 of pole changer P, winding of relay KR, and contact 3-4 of pole changer P to the other terminal CT of the current source. Relay KR is energized and polar. contact members 22 and 23 are operated to the left-hand position, as viewed in the drawing, to make contact with normal polar contacts 24 and 25, respectively. Contact 1 of lever E is closed to complete a simple circuit which includes contact 7 of lever E and the winding of valve magnet NV, so that the valve magnet NV is energized and switch S is in its normal position.

When the operator its reverse position, latch of lever E is first closed.

desires to move switch S to contact IS on handle l2 This completes a circuit passing from terminal BT through front contact 26 of relay KR, contact IU of lever E, normal polar contact 2224 of relay KR, winding of magnet M of lever lock NL, front contact 21 of relay HR and latch contact I3 to terminal CT. Magnet M becomes energized and lifts locking dog l5 out of engagement with projection 16 of segment ll. This releases segment I! and permits the operator to move lever E toward its reverse position R. It is to be noted that magnet M of lever lock NL will be energized only if relay KR is in its normal position and relay HR is picked up. Therefora'when magnet l4 becomes energized to release lever E, the operator is assured that relay KR is in its normal position, checking the normal position of mechanism SM and switch S; and that relay HR is picked up, checking the normal condition of the detector and route locking circuits associated with the switch S.

When the lever E moves past the normal indication position B, the circuit for valve magnet NV is opened at contact I of lever E and valve magnet NV becomes deenergized. Also, the circuit for magnet 14 of lever lock NL is opened at contact In of lever E so that magnet l4 becomes deenergized to release locking dog l5.

When the lever reaches its reverse indication position D, further movement of the lever is prevented by the lever lock RL, as described previously. With lever E at reverse indication position D, a simple circuit which includes contact 8 of lever E and the winding of valve magnet RV is completed, and valve magnet RV becomes energized. Also, a first energizing circuit is com- 'pleted for valve magnet LV, the circuit passing from terminal BT through front contact 26 of relay KR, contact 9 of lever E, normal polar contact 2325 of relay KR and the winding of lock valve magnet LV to terminal CT. With the valve magnets LV and RV energized, switch mechanism SM is actuated to move the switch to its reverse position. The switch mechanism, upon becoming unlocked, actuates pole changer P to a mid position so that the normal contacts l2 and 3-4 of pole changer P are opened, and consequently the energizing circuit for relay KR is opened. Relay KR becomes deenergized and opens front contact 26 and closes back contacts 28 and 29. relay KR completes a simple circuit easily traced for an indicating lamp I located near lever E, and this lamp then becomes lighted to indicate to the operator that switch S is in transit. The opening of front contact 26 of relay KR opens the previously traced circuit for valve magnet LV, but the closing of back contact 29 of relay KR completes a circuit passing from terminal BT through back contact 29 of relay KR and the winding of lock valve magnet LV to terminal CT so that valve magnet LV is retained energized.

When the switch mechanism SM and switch S reach full reverse position and become locked in this position, pole changer P is shifted to its full reverse position and relay KR becomes energized by virtue of a circuit passing from terminal BT through contact B3 of pole changer P, winding of relay KR, and contact 25 of pole changer P to terminal CT. Relay KR is now supplied with current of reverse polarity and becomes energized to open back contacts 28 and 29, to close front contact 26, and to shift its polar contact members 22 and 23 to their right-hand positions. Polar contact member 22 now engages reverse polar contact 30 and polar contact member 23 now engages reverse polar contact 3|.

The closing of back contact 28 of The last traced energizing circuit for valve magnet LV is opened at back contact 29 of relay KR, so that valve magnet LV becomes deenergized to cut off the supply of air to switch mechanism SM. Magnet N3 of lever lock RL becomes energized by virtue of a circuit passing from terminal BT through front contact 26 of relay KR, contact 9 of lever E, reverse polar contact 23-3l, winding of magnet l8 of lever lock RL, front contact 21 of relay HR and latch contact l3 to terminal CT. The energization of magnet I 8 lifts locking dog i9 out of engagement with projection 2!! of segment 2!, so that lever E is released and may be moved to its fullreverse position R.

It is to be noted that magnet [8 of lever lock RL will become energized only if relay KR is energized by current of reverse polarity and relay HR is picked up. Therefore, the energization of magnet 18 of lever lock RL and the consequent release of lever E indicates that relay KR is in agreement as to position with lever E, checking the reverse position of mechanism SM and switch S; and that relay HR is picked up, checking the condition of the detector and route locking circuits associated with the switch S.

When lever E is moved to its full reverse position R, latch contact I3 on handle i2 is opened to open the energizing circuit for magnet l8 of lever lock RL. Magnet 18 of lever lock RL becomes ,deenergized to release locking dog 19, and locking dog I 9 makes engagement with projection 29 of segment 2! to lock lever E in its full reverse position R. v

The apparatus operates in a similar manner for a movement of the lever E from the reverse position R to the normal position N, as can readily be understood by referring to the drawing.

It is to be noted that a contact H of lever E may be provided and so connected to the apparatus of Fig. 1 by circuit wires (shown as dash lines) as to provide a shunt path around front contact 2! of relay HR and latch contact l3 in the circuits for the lever lock magnets at the indication positions of the lever. One desirable feature of employing contact H of lever E in this manner is that the shunt path provided by contact H of lever E permits an indication to be received at the lever of the position of the switch, even though the trafiic controlled relay HR is deenergized because of traffic conditions in the vicinity of the switch. Thus, the indications may be received without the necessity of providing an emergency release for the lever lock.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the apparatus; the control circuits for valve magnets NV, RV and LV; and the energizing circuits for relays KR and HR are all the same as in Fig. 1. However, in Fig. 2, front contacts 32 and 33 of relay HR are interposed in the energizing circuit for lever locks NL and RL, respectively, between the lever locks and the positive terminal BT of the current source. Thus, the energizing circuit for lever lock NL passes from terminal BT through front contact 26 of relay KR, contact I El of lever E, normal polar contact 22-44 of relay KR, front contact 32 of relay HR, winding of magnet I4 of lever lock NL and latch contact I3 to terminal CT; and the energizing circuit for lever lock RL passes from terminal BT through front contact 26 of relay KR, contact 9 of lever E, reverse polar contact 23-3! of relay KR, front contact 33 of relay HR, winding of magnet 18 of lever lock RL Thus the lever lock magnets cannot become energized independently of the condition of traffic at the switch. I

Also shown in Fig. 2 are lever contacts I la and Ill) which may, if desired, be so connected by circuit wires (shown as dash lines) as to provide shunt paths around front contact 32 of relay HR and front contact 33 of relay HR in the energizing circuits for lever locks NL and RL respectively.

Since in all other respects the apparatus and circuits of Fig. 2 are identical with the apparatus and circuits of Fig. 1, the operation of the apparatus of Fig. 2 will be readily apparent from the foregoing description of the operation of the apparatus of Fig. 1, and need not be described in detail.

One advantage of my invention is the provision of means for indicating the position of the switch at the lever in the normal, the normal indication, the reverse indication, and the reverse positions of the lever. Also, my invention requires only those lever magnets which are usually provided for indicating the position of the switch at the lever in the normal indication and reverse indication positions of the lever.

Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a mechanism operable to a normal or a reverse position and provided with operating and locking magnets, a railway switch operatively connected with said mechanism for operation to a normal or a reverse position in accordance with the position of said mechanism, a lever having a normal and a reverse position and provided with contacts, operating circuit means governed by contacts of said lever for con trolling the operating magnets of said mechanism, a polarized indication relay operable to a normal or a reverse position, means governed by said switch for operating said relay to its normal or reverse position in agreement with the position of said switch, control circuit means governed by said relay for controlling the locking magnet of said mechanism, lever locking means operatively connected with said lever for at times preventing a movement of the lever into or from its normal or reverse position, and means governed by said relay when in agreement with the position of said switch for rendering said lever locking means ineffective to prevent a movement of said lever into or from its normal or reverse position.

2. In combination, a mechanism operable to a normal or a reverse position and provided with operating and locking magnets, a railway switch operatively connected with said mechanism for operation to a normal or a reverse position in accordance with the position of said mechanism, a lever having a normal and a reverse position and provided with contacts, operating circuit means governed by contacts of said lever for controlling the operating magnets of said mechanism, a polarized indication relay operable to a normal or a reverse position, means governed by said switch for operating said relay to its normal or reverse position "in agreement with the position of said switch, controlcircuit means governed by said relay for controlling the locking magnet of said mechanism, at normal lever lock magnet operatively connected with said lever and effective to prevent a movement of the lever from its normal or into its normal position, a reverse lever lock magnet operatively connected with said lever and effective to prevent a movement of the lever from its reverse or into its reverse position, and circuit means governed by said relay and effec tive when the position of said relay agrees with the position of said lever for rendering said normal or reverse lever lock magnet ineffective to prevent a movement of said lever from its respective normal or reverse position and also effective when the position of said relay agrees with the position to which the lever is being moved for rendering said normal or reverse lever lock magnet ineffective to prevent a movement of said lever into its respective normal or reverse position.

3. In combination, a mechanism operable to a normal ,or a reverse position and provided with operating and locking magnets, a railway switch operatively connected with said mechanism for operation to a normal or a reverse position in accordance with the position of said mechanism, a lever having a normal and a reverse position and provided with contacts, operating circuit means governed by contacts of said lever for controlling the operating magnets of said mechanism, a polarized indication relay having polar contacts operable to a normal or a reverse position, means governed by said switch for causing said relay to operate the polar contacts of said relay to their normal or reverse positions in accordance with the position of said switch, lever locking means operatively connected with said lever for at times preventing a movement of the lever into or fromits normal or reverse position, a first circuit governed by a lever contact and one polar contact of said relay effective for controlling said locking magnet of said mechanism or for rendering said lever locking means ineffective to prevent a movement of said lever into or from its normal position, said first circuit being effective to control said locking magnet or said lever locking means according as the position of said one polar contact of said relay is in disagreement of agreement with the position of said lever, and a second circuit governed by a lever contact and another polar contact of said relay effective for controlling said locking magnet of said mechanism or for rendering said lever locking means ineffective to prevent a movement of said lever into or from its reverse position, said second circuit being effective to control said locking magnet of said mechanism or said lever looking means according as the position of said other polar contact of said relay is in disagreement or agreement with the position of said lever.

4. In combination, a mechanism operable to a normal or a reverse position and provided with operating and locking magnets, a railway switch operatively connected with said mechanism for movement to a normal or a reverse position in accordance with the position of said mechanism;

a lever having a normal, a normal indication,

a reverse indication, and a reverse position and provided with contacts; circuit means governed by a normal indication lever contact or a reverse indication lever contact for energizing said operating magnets of said mechanism and effective for operating said mechanism to its respective normal or reverse position provided that said locking magnet is energized, a normal lever lock magnet operatively connected with said lever for preventing a movement of that lever into or from its normal position, a reverse lever lock magnet operatively connected with said lever for preventing a movement of that lever into or from its reverse position, a polarized indication relay having polar contacts operable to a normal or a. reverse position, means governed by said switch for causing said relay to operate said polar contacts into the normal or reverse positions in agreement with the position of said switch, a'first circuit including a normal-to-normal indication lever contact and one of said polar contacts of said relay for energizing said locking magnet of said mechanism or for energizing said normal lever lock magnet to thereby render that magnet ineffective to prevent a movement of said lever into or from its normal position, said first circuit being effective to energize said locking magnet of said mechanism or said normal lever lock magnet according as said one polar contact is inits reverse or normal position, and a second circuit including a reverse-to-reverse indication lever contact and another of said polar contacts of said relay for energizing said locking magnet of said mechanism or for energizing said reverse lever lock magnet to thereby render that magnet ineffective to prevent a movement of said lever into or from its reverse position, said second circuit being effective to energize said locking magnet of said mechanism or said reverse lever lock magnet according as said other polar contact is in its normal or reverse position.

5. In combination, a mechanism operable to a normal or a reverse position and provided with operating and locking magnets, a railway switch operatively connected with said mechanism for movement to a normal or a reverse position in accordance with the position of said mechanism; a traffic controlled relay responsive to trafi'ic conditions adjacent the switch, a lever having a normal, a normal indication, a reverse indication,

and a reverse position and provided with contacts; circuit means governed by a normal indication lever contact or a reverse indication lever contact for energizing said operating magnets of said mechanism and effective for operating said mechanism to its respective normal or reverse position provided that said locking magnet is energized, a normal lever lock magnet operatively connected with said lever for preventing a movement of that lever into or from its normal position, a reverse lever lock magnet operatively connected with said lever for preventing a movement of that lever into or from its reverse position, a polarized indication relay having polar contacts operable to a normal or a reverse position, means governed by said switch for causing said relay to operate said polar contacts into the normal or reverse positions in agreement with the position of said switch, a first circuit including a normal-to-normal indication lever contact and one of said polar contacts of said polarized relay and normally being controlled by said traific controlled relay, said first circuit being effective to energize said locking magnet of said mechanism or to render said normal lever lock magnet ineffective to prevent movement of said lever according as said one polar contact is in its reverse or normal position, a second circuit including a reverse-to-reverse indication lever contact and another of said polar contacts of said polarized relay and normally being controlled by said traffic controlled relay, said second circuit being effective to energize said locking magnet of said mechanism or to render said reverse lever lock magnet ineffective to prevent a movement of said lever according as said other polar contact is in its normal or reverse position, and means governed by said lever when in or intermediate its indication positions for removing said trafiic controlled relay from control of said first and second circuits.

CHARLES W. BELL. 

